In priuate life, there commeth into consideration, their Tenements,
which yeeld them sustinance, and their houses, which afford them a
place of abode. Euerie tenement is parcell of the demaynes, or
seruices of some Manner. Commonly thirtie Acres make a farthing
land, nine farthings a Cornish Acre, and foure Cornish Acres, a
Knights fee. But this rule is ouerruled to a greater or lesser
quantitie, according to the fruitfulnesse, or barrennesse of the
soyle. That part of the demaines, which appertaineth to the Lords
dwelling house, they call his Barten, or Berton. The tenants to the
rest hold the same either by sufferance, Wil, or custome, or by
conuention. The customary tenant holdeth at Wil, either for yeeres,
[37] or for liues, or to them and their heires, in diuers manners
according to the custome of the Mannour. Customarie Tenants for
life, take for one, two, three, or more liues, in possession, or
reuersion, as their custome will beare. Somewhere the wiues hold by
widdowes estate, and in many places, when the estate is determined by
the Tenants death, and either to descend to the next in reuersion,
or to returne to the Lord, yet will his Executor, or Administrator
detaine the land, by the custome, vntill the next Michaelmas after,
which is not altogether destitute of a reasonable pretence.
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